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BEST PRACTICES AND STANDARDS FOR E-LEARNING Dr. Mohamed Ally Director and Professor Centre for Distance Education Athabasca University Canada mohameda@athabascau.ca Second International Conference e-Learning and Distance Learning Riyadh, February 2011
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Presentation Outline Why establish best practices and standards for e- Learning Research projects completed on: Best practices for tutors Best practices for online discussions Best practices for learners using e-Learning The 21 st century graduate Best practices for e-Learning development Service standards for e-Learning
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Why establish best practices and standards for e-Learning Improve the quality of the learning experience Use as orientation for faculty, staff, and students Quality assurance during design and development phases Ensure consistency between faculty and staff Make faculty and staff accountable for service provided
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Research Projects on Best Practices
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Project 1 Best Practices for tutors in e-Learning
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Method Conducted focus group session with 30 experienced tutors Identify what tasks tutors complete when tutoring students in distance education and e-Learning Discuss the list of tasks for experience tutors Gain consensus on the list of tasks Finalize list of tasks
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Best Practices for Tutors in e-Learning Facilitate Learning Contact students at the start of the course Use proper oral communication skills Use proper written communication skills Interpret course materials for students Role model behaviour and attitudes that promote learning Encourage dialogues and discussions between tutor and students and between students Use active learning strategies Promote critical thinking Resolve conflicts constructively
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Best Practices for Tutors in e-Learning Motivate Learners Contact students on an on-going basis as required Emphasize practical application of learning materials Re-assure students as required Challenge students by suggesting additional learning activities Make students feel comfortable when interacting with the tutor Show enthusiasm about the course materials
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Best Practices for Tutors in e-Learning Help Students with Content Problems Keep up to date in the field Show high subject matter expertise Use appropriate research skills to find related course information Listen effectively to learners Interpret learners questions Communication at the level of the learner Provide the information to answer the learner question Provide remediation to help learners Suggest remediation activities to help learners Provide supplemental resources for learners to achieve the course objectives Check to ensure the learner questions have been answered
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Best Practices for Tutors in e-Learning Formative Evaluation of Learning Materials Record changes for learning materials Record improvements needed in the delivery process Keep a weekly journal on the progress of the course Evaluate Learners Performance Develop evaluation instruments Administer evaluation instruments
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Best Practices for Tutors in e-Learning Delivery Management Use effective time management when interacting with students Persuade learners to pace themselves Develop a process to manage the delivery Explore different methods for delivery Manage the Learning Process Contact learners on a timely basis Provide appropriate feedback Adapt to the learner needs Allow for flexibility for unanticipated problems
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Best Practices for Tutors in e-Learning Administrative Functions Input learners’ marks into information system Obtain appropriate professional development to perform job effectively Interact with supervisors on the course Interact with administrative support on course support Organize information and documents for ease of retrieval Print out reports Access information from information systems Review documents and reports Track learners’ progress Use the organization information system to access and input information Keep up-to-date with the organization policies related to course development and delivery
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Best Practices for Tutors in e-Learning Address Technical Problems Refer students to appropriate resources to solve technical problems Provide a sympathetic ear to learners’ technical problems Solve minor technical problems Use Delivery Technology Use the basic features of a computer Use a web browser to access the internet Use e-mail to interact with students and staff Use technology to deliver instruction Use social software
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Project 2 Best Practices moderating e-Learning discussion forums
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Method Conducted focus group session with 6 experienced discussion forum moderators Identify what tasks moderators complete when moderating discussion forums Discuss the list of tasks identified Gain consensus on the list of tasks Finalize list of tasks
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Best Practices of Discussion Forum Moderators in e-Learning Welcome students to the discussion forum and arrange for students to introduce themselves. Establish ground rules and guidelines for the discussion. Inform students of the schedule of the discussion. Role model good discussion behaviour. Use strategies that allow students to present their ideas and receive feedback from other students.
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Best Practices of Discussion Forum Moderators in e-Learning Encourage participation in the discussions. Respond to students’ questions in a timely manner. Summarize the discussion to bring closure to the discussion. End discussions at the right time and appropriately.
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Project 3 Best Practices of learners in distance education and e-Learning
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Method Conducted focus group session with 35 graduate students taking courses at a distance Identify the skills that distance education learners need to be successful Discuss the list of skills identified Gain consensus on the list of skills Finalize the list of skills
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Best Practices of Learners in Distance Education and e-Learning Learning Skills Organize information and course materials to facilitate learning Read “outside” course materials that are related to the course topics Select appropriate assignments topics to relate learning to real life applications Arrange support system during the learning process Conduct research to obtain information on the learning topics Preview course materials to get a sense of course requirements
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Best Practices of Learners in Distance Education and e-Learning Reflect on the information in the course Read quickly to cover the reading materials Prioritize readings based on the course objectives Select important material from the course readings Contact researchers and experts to obtain additional information on course topics Apply course readings to own professional or personal situations Synthesize information from readings and discussions Make connections to “real” life situations
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Best Practices of Learners in Distance Education and e-Learning Apply learning to current occupation. Follow course study guide instructions Study topics that cause difficulty at a later time Research additional information on difficult topics Skim the course materials before the course starts to get a sense of course requirements Use “academic” or accepted writing style Conduct internet searches to obtain information for assignments Select relevant real life situations to apply the assignment questions
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Best Practices of Learners in Distance Education and e-Learning Write effectively by following the assignment guidelines Clarify assignment expectations if required Write assignments at the appropriate level Proofread assignments Share new ideas with non-students (other employees or professionals) Work with a partner or small group to discuss difficult materials Contact instructors for help in courses Study in a quiet and comfortable learning environment Contact academic advisor to select courses wisely
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Best Practices of Learners in Distance Education and e-Learning Organization Skills Set enough time to complete the course requirements Allow for flexibility to devote to the course Coordinate course requirements with employer to make sure there is flexibility to complete the course Follow the rules and regulations of the school Practice “forward thinking” to plan for the unexpected Get a head start in the course Be self-motivated to complete course activities Log-on to check e-mail and other materials regularly (daily)
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Best Practices of Learners in Distance Education and e-Learning Manage time efficiently Work independently on course materials Practice self-disciplined to complete course requirements on time Set personal learning objectives to meet course requirements Create comfortable learning environment to complete course requirements Arrange time away from home responsibilities to work on courses
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Best Practices of Learners in Distance Education and e-Learning Coordinate schedule to take multiple courses at the same time Create personal work plan to meet course requirements Prioritize tasks to complete course requirements Inform family of course commitments to obtain the time to work on the course Get “big picture” of course to plan activities to complete the course Stay focused on the course
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Best Practices of Learners in Distance Education and e-Learning Be persistent to complete the course Keep up with the course work load to prevent being left behind Set clear expectations and sense of direction when working course Cope with extenuating circumstances of everyday life Organize daily activities to work on course Work ahead of course schedule Dedicate study time and stick to the time Set up a comfortable learning environment Commit to complete the course
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Best Practices of Learners in Distance Education and e-Learning Personal Skills Manage stress effectively Maintain vision and career goals to keep study in focus Be patient when going through the course Recognize own learning style Adapt learning style when learning Maintain a sense of humor when taking courses Keep an open mind
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Best Practices of Learners in Distance Education and e-Learning Be compassionate to other students Adapt to the different delivery modes Be an independent learner Be disciplined to complete course expectations on time Be self-motivated to complete course requirements Plan course activities through the semester Remain committed to complete course requirements Have a curiosity to learn
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Best Practices of Learners in Distance Education and e-Learning Be focused on course requirements Be open to new experiences Practice time management for assignment completion Set internal goals to make sure course requirements are completed on time
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Best Practices of Learners in Distance Education and e-Learning Interaction/Interpersonal Skills Post conference entries to contribute to discussions Participate in conferences by reading and responding to other students’ comments Be confident in ability to contribute to the course Be succinct in conference postings Present balanced arguments in conference discussions Be supportive of fellow students
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Best Practices of Learners in Distance Education and e-Learning Use “netiquette” when using e-mail and the internet Work collaboratively in teams Learn from others Communicate effectively though text Provide constructive feedback to other students Be willing to share knowledge Be open to changing one’s views
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Best Practices of Learners in Distance Education and e-Learning Technology Skills Use reliable technology when completing course requirements Use the internet as a research tool Obtain the expertise required to use the delivery technology Solve basic technical problems
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Project 4 Skills of the 21 st Century Graduate
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Method Conducted interviews to identify skills required for the 21 st century graduate with 5 graduates from a university working in their respective fields Validated the skills with teachers Finalize the list of skills
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21 st Century Skills Area Communication Personal Skills Project Management Continuous Improvement Conflict Resolution Problem Solving Information and Communication Technology Team Work
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21 st Century Skills Area Interpersonal Skills Emotional/ Social Intelligence Personal Well-being Leadership Globalization Research Critical Thinking
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Best practices for e-Learning development (Khan, 2005, 2007)
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Designing e-Learning Using Learning Objects Learning objects should be independent and standalone so that teachers can revise a learning object without affecting other objects. Learning objects should be reusable. Learning objects must be designed with multiple users in mind. Teachers must be able to customize learning objects to meet the needs of learners. Learning objects should be scalable so that they can build on each other to form learning sequences.
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Designing e-Learning Using Learning Objects Learning objects must be designed so that they can be re-used many times without becoming obsolete. Teachers and students must be able to access learning objects from anywhere and anytime using a variety of technologies.
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Service Standards for e-Learning Initial contact with students – first week of start of course Respond to e-mail – 2 business days Respond to voice mail – 2 business days Marking of assignments and exams – 10 days from receipt Submission of final grades – 10 business days Respond to student questions – 2 business days
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References Khan, B. H. (Ed.). (2007). Flexible learning in an information society. Hershey, PA: Information Science Publishing. Khan, B. H. (2005). Managing e ‑ learning: Design, delivery, implementation and evaluation. Hershey, PA: Information Science Publishing.
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